Help needed: Just bought an 06 SR5 PreRunner Doublecab - Has an open differential

Not trying to kick you while you are down... it just amazes me of people in this day and age able to drop so much coin on a vehicle and not know what they are getting... its way to damn common in my opinion and its rather scary. I think alot of it stems from the sales people not knowing their product as well.

all 09+ taco's have open diffs.... the SR5 and Sports have the 8.4 open diff which has the Simiulated LSD via the brakes. The TRD off road has the 8.0 open diff with electric locker.... which also has the simulated LSD via the brakes.

 

Probably so. The toyota guys didn't know much, and neither did I. I came from a 2wd Trailblazer SS that came with a standard LSD, so I was under the impression that a prerunner would have come with at least and LSD. I usually do my fair share of research before i pull the trigger on a vehicle as I am pretty mechanically inclined.

I guess I didn't realize how many different packages the tacoma had to offer, as I only thought to look up common issues and reliability, which...in that department is a GREAT truck. Planning to run this vehicle for a while.

 

I would run it and if you find yourself having issues... then you could upgrade to something like a trutrac or factory elocker axle etc.

 

thats a prefectly good way to test it.... if the truck is in park, front wheels chocked, get both rear tires off the ground and spin one rear tire... if its an lsd thats working properly it should take some force to spin it and the other tire the opposite way (150ftlbs is spec for a working lsd)

 

When i tested it in the air yesterday, it took no effort to spin the wheel, as the other one spun the opposite direction. I also do not have the "lsd oil only" sticker on the pumpkin.

 

your clutch pack was probably worn out. FSM states that is the way to test your clutch packs... should take 150ftlbs to break them loose and spin the tires.

then you have an open diff....

 

Does anyone have an opinion on the Auburn vs the D trutrac?

 

Do I know you? Found this thread by searching "Detroit TrueTrac" before I buy one. It seems the way to go for me for the following reasons:

Always on for a safer drive on snowy/icy roads
Does not cause excess tire wear
Can do 95% of what a locker can do. If both wheels are on the ground, both wheels are turning. If not, touch the brake.
Apparently really improves the 2WD

These are none of my own experiences and are taken from multiple reviews. I will be buying one this year.
I really think this will solve your problem.

 

Having a good set of tires will be your best friend on the ramps. For really steep ramps, you may want to look at putting a trailer bar on FRONT bumper!

 

May I ask a question?

My question is probably going to be horribly stupid, but couldn't the OP just make a deal at a junk yard to swap for a LSD?

 

1st line of post 10.

"You can swap third members with someone who is trading in their truck and has a mechanical LSD third from a 08' or before"

So, to your question, yes, with qualifiers.

 

Cheap and easy solution... Put a little weight in the bed and carry a bag of cat litter when you go to the boat launch. Problem solved.

Though I do wish for an LSD or locker every time I do a burnout!

 

My only issue with that is that those mechanical LSD wear out unlike the Detroit truetrac. I have also heard good, but not great reviews of them. For that reason I wouldn't want a used one unless I knew exactly how it had been used.

Don't LSDs still let you burn out?

 

Can't do a posi burnout with an open diff. And lets face it one wheel wonders are lame!

 

You want cheap go Lincoln locker, good one ARB or TJM

 

Not sure LSD will help you all that much if algae is the issue on a boat ramp. Depending on how steep the ramp is and how slick the algae is the only thing that may help is 4x4 or a rock to put behind a wheel before you slip into the water. With that said I have had issues in the past with a 1-wheel drive Tacoma at the ramp and needing a tow to get up because of algae. It was the weirdest feeling as I kept slipping closer and closer to the water every time I put on the emergency brake so I could get out of the truck to see what the problem was. Finally, when the water was threatening to breach inside the bed I kept my foot on the brake and called for help. Have not had any issues with the LSD on my prerunner, but then again, the algae ramp I had issues with in the past is now gone and a new deeply grooved ramp is in its place.

 

Maybe sandbags in the back for weight and for traction if needed. Traction pads are a great investment for any truck, especially 2wd.